LOS ANGELES - Two plays at opposite ends of the game, each inches away from being touchdowns that could have provided the winning margin in the Los Angeles Rams' 16-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

The first was Todd Gurley’s 12-yard run on the Rams' first drive of the game. As Gurley approached the corner of the end zone he did what most players do, reached out and extended the ball in an effort to hit the pylon. As he did, the ball slipped from his hands, just as his foot landed out of bounds around the 1-yard line.

Gurley was initially credited with a touchdown but upon review it was determined the ball came out of his hands before he was out of bounds and since it hit the pylon after being fumbled, it was ruled a touchback and Seattle got the ball.

“I’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the ball,” Gurley said. “Like they say, take care of the ball first and the rest will take care of itself. Obviously, I’ve got to do a good job of taking care of the ball. I should have just lowered my shoulder. I don’t want it to happen again.”

The other close call came with just 12 seconds left in the game and the Rams trailing by six points and needing a touchdown to win the game.

With the ball on the Seattle 20, quarterback Jared Goff fired a pass in the direction of rookie Cooper Cupp, who had beaten his defender with an inside slant.

The ball was slightly out in front of Cupp, who dove but was unable to haul the pass in.

It would have been a acrobatic catch but the rookie wanted no part of any excuses.

“And at the end of the day, let’s face facts, I’ve got to make that play,” Cupp said. “I am going to take responsibility for that and take ownership of it. As much as I would like to go back and fix it, I can’t. I have to learn from it and move forward.

“I think everyone that you talk to is going to say it’s not just one play that cost you the game. But Jared drove us down the field and put us in position to take shot at the end zone. We’re playing in the NFL and you are expected to make those plays. My expectations are no different. I expect to make that play. If I am putting my hands on the ball, I’ve got to make that play.”

Head coach Sean McVay said he needed to watch the tape before rendering a verdict on whether the ball should have been caught. But no matter what, the team stills have a ton of confidence in Cupp.

“He’s a great football player,” McVay said. “He’s going to continue to be a focal point of our offense whether it was a catch he could have made or not.”

Cupp, who has already made many tough catches in his first season, was visibly upset as he left the field, so much so that punter Johnny Hekker gave him a few words of encouragement before he reached the Coliseum tunnel.

The scene was repeated in the locker room as both Goff and Gurley took turns coming over to the rookie and gave him words of encouragement.

Goff said he simply reminded Cupp that it’s a long season and that there will be plenty of other opportunities to make plays.

“I’ve got the best teammates in the world,” Cupp said. “These guys put their heart and souls into this and you can see their blood sweat and tears that they put into this game and how badly they want to win.

“That is what makes it tough. I feel like I let those guys down. I was in position to make that play but didn’t do it. With teammates around you like this, it’s pretty special.”

While both players would love to go back and change the end result of each of the two plays, both said it’s important to remember that even with the loss the Rams are still tied with Seattle for the NFC West lead with 3-2 records.

Even though the Rams committed five turnovers, they still had a chance to win the game in the final seconds.

“We’ll go back and continue to work,” Cupp said. “All our thoughts are moving on to Jacksonville and hopefully getting a 'W' there.”

Gurley said that having two straight road games may a blessing for the Rams.

“I think we play better on the road,” Gurley said. “We won our last two games on the road, so it gives you good confidence you can win on the road.”